Canon PowerShot A1100IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Silver)

Too new to really evaluate fairly.
Shipping time was a bit longer than expected.

I have owned this camera for about 8 or nine months. My last Canon finally died, but had been a good camera, quick to shoot, good digital pictures. The photos with this new camera are okay, though no improvement over my now dead 6 megapixel Canon. The problems are, first, the slow, slow, slow response with the shutter. Apparently it takes a long time to process the 12.1 megapixels. I like to shoot ski photos, and when the shutter is hit the picture is not taken for a beat or two. I try to lead the photo now, pressing before the optimal shot, which requires a prescience I really cannot claim. The first problem compounds the next, the lag between shots. You cannot take a quick series of pictures. It is very frustrating. Finally, the last Canon allowed me to recharge the battery. This Canon loves the batteries, I mean it eats them for lunch. I purchased rechargeable batteries, but it won't turn on with them. So, new batteries, and frequently. I do not recommend this camera.

This purchase was to replace an identical camera that crapped out (the telephoto control jammed the shutter button). The predecessor couldn't be repaired (it was still under warranty) and we insisted that Best Buy return our money, which they did.
We like this camera because it is one of very few compact cameras remaining that still use a viewfinder in addition to the LCD screen. Other criteria included its use of AA batteries instead of expensive proprietary cells, and the use of SD memory cards that had fit in another Canon predecessor camera.

This camera is a worthy successor to the Consumer Reports top-rated Canon A1000IS which I favorably reviewed last year after buying one for my stepson just prior to his trip to Kenya but tested extensively myself ahead-of-time. He brought back hundreds of stunning photographs. This year I bought this newer model for my wife, but also tested it before giving it to her. She is delighted with the small size, light weight, ease of use and great photos.

All of the desirable features of this camera's predecessor were retained and refined, including an optical viewfinder that is missing on most other compact point-and-shoot cameras today. Not only does constantly using the camera's LCD screen eat battery power unnecessarily, holding a camera at arm's length to see the screen can introduce unnecessary shake and blurred photos. In bright sunlight LCD screens are nearly impossible to see. However, the screen is necessary to properly frame extreme close-up shots, some of which I have uploaded to this camera's gallery.

Although this camera can use off-the-shelf AA alkaline cells, the smarter option is to use high-capacity rechargeable NiMH batteries that can deliver longer life, shorter recycle times and pay for themselves quickly since they're reused and not discarded. I recommend a rapid charger that can be used with both a 12-volt car socket or can be plugged into an AC outlet. Amazon sells the Lenmar 2-Hour AA/AAA NiMH Charger Kit that will do that. That way you can always have freshly-charged batteries at your disposal even if you're giving the camera heavy use.

I normally use a single-lens-reflex digital camera, but I can favorably compare the images from this camera with those of my much heavier and bulkier SLR. There is considerable merit to having a lightweight, compact camera that is easy to use and carry. This camera meets those requirements nicely even though it doesn't offer the manual adjustments, low-light performance and zoom range of larger, heavier and much more expensive cameras.

Built-in face-recognition technology and image stabilization in this camera have made it much more difficult to take bad people photos, even when there is strong back-lighting or other conditions that could normally sabotage your pictures. I found the camera's automatic contrast management a real plus when taking photos in bright lighting conditions. Although the SD memory card that comes with this camera is bigger than the one that was included with the A1000IS, most people will want to spring for a card with at least 4GB of capacity. This camera will accept SDHC cards up to 8GB. You should invest in one if you plan to shoot videos as well as still photos with this camera.

In summary, this camera offers considerable value. It's compact, lightweight and simple to use yet, with some care composing your shots, takes high-quality photographs which you can proudly display and favorably compare with the best.

Bought this camera in December 2009. By June 2010, camera lens would not open due to a lens error. It seems that this is a common error and it's too expensive to have fixed. There are many websites devoted to this error and how to diy fix. Unfortunately, the diy problems would not work. Most people have to purchase another camera. Having had Canon cameras for years and years, it is a disappointment that Canon would make a shoddy product and pass it on as high quality.